Re: Dinghies Again -- ****tland Pudgy?

My impression, as a boat designer who sees them nearly daily as I go in and

out of Hamilton Marine is that they are a very cool idea well executed.  I

would love to have one.  The primary drawback is the weight.  On a
slightly 
larger boat than mine with stern davits or some other arrangement for 
getting a boat on board it would be great.

I can get my 8 foot glass dinghy on board with the spin****r halyard and
it 
will fit on the foredeck upside down with the transom on the cabin top.  I

have to turn it over on the deck however and I think the Pudgy would be
too 
heavy to do this; especially after my recent experience with my back.  I 
haven't checked about the fit but it looks so unlikely that I haven't 
pursued the idea.   I almost always tow but want the option of having the 
dinghy aboard in some rough conditions.  I wouldn't be too upset to have
to 
cut my used glass dinghy loose if it became a hazard in bad weather under 
tow or the painter broke.  I'd sure hate to see a Pudgy with full life 
saving package go out of sight astern though.

If not for these factors, I would probably own one now.

--
Roger Long